The Department Children Families Children Aged Zero Five

The Department of Children and Families Early Childhood Practice Guide for Children Aged Zero to Five

The Department of Children and Families

Early Childhood Practice Guide for Children Aged Zero to Five

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Title

Introduction Very Young Children in Child Welfare Understanding the Importance of Attachment in Early Years The Impact of Trauma on Early Childhood Development Child Development Social and Emotional Milestones (Charts) Assessing Safety and Risk for Children 0-5 ? Intake and Ongoing Services Quality Early Education and Care Parents with Disabilities Parents Who were in DCF Care as Children Early Childhood ? Adolescent Services Visitation The Role of Supervision in Early Childhood (Ages zero to five) Consults Foster Care: Focusing on Children Entering and In-Care-Birth to Age 5 DCF's Teaming Continuum Appendices

Appendices Index

Introduction The Impact of Trauma on Early Childhood Development Child Development Developmental Milestones Attachment Resources ? Children's Social and Emotional Competence Cultural Considerations Assessing Home Environment Assessing Parenting and Parent/Child Relationship Assessing Parental Capacity Assessment of the Parent's Perception of Child Failure To Thrive Abusive Head Trauma (Shaken Baby) Foster Care Fatherhood Initiative Programs at CJTS Resources by Region (Separate Document)

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3 4 4 10 14 17 26 38 39 43 45 46 48 50 51 53 55

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56 57 61 65 70 74 75 76 78 78 79 80 80 81 82 See "Resources"

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The Department of Children and Families

Early Childhood Practice Guide for Children Aged Zero to Five

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Children and Families supports healthy relationships, promotes safe and healthy environ- ments and assures that the social and emotional needs of all children are met. The 0-5 population comprises a third of our overall caseload and we know by virtue of age, they are among the most vulnerable in our society. The work we do with young children and their families early on sets the stage for their future success. The intent of the Early Childhood Practice Guide is to provide a framework and important information to support child welfare staff in their work with young children and their families. In the past few decades, there has been over- whelming research that highlights the significance of the first years of development and the impact of early adversity on long-term health outcomes. The Early Childhood Practice Guide is designed to inform child welfare staff of this research and articulate the practical application of that research and knowledge in direct service with young children and families.

This Practice Guide is designed to build upon the many strengths of our practice and provide further guidance and information that support comprehensive assessments and engagement with families and our community partners. The Early Childhood Practice Guide and Appendices provide tools, resources, and information that address essential areas of our work, including developmental milestones (incorporating social and emotional development), understanding the importance of attachment, the impact of trauma, assessing safety and risk, and the role and importance of supervision in our work with families with young children.

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The Department of Children and Families

Early Childhood Practice Guide for Children Aged Zero to Five

VERY YOUNG CHILDREN IN CHILD WELFARE

Children's early experiences can have a profound impact on their development and well-being now and later in life. Research on the developing brain clearly demonstrates that these early experiences are incredibly powerful. During the earliest years of life--the first five years--the brain is more easily impacted by outside experiences than at any other stage of life. The developing brain is shaped in very important ways by these experiences. Positive experiences, such as loving attention, calm routines, sights, sounds and other sensory experiences that are varied but not over-stimulating, can directly impact the brain's architecture.

Because the brain is so sensitive during this early stage, however, extremely stressful or traumatic experiences

can also have powerful repercussions. Almost 200,000 children in the US under the age of 3 come into contact

with the child welfare system every year. This population also has the highest rate of child fatalities. For young

children, this threat arises at a crucial time in life,

when early experiences are shaping the brain's ar-

chitecture into a foundation for learning, health, and future success.

One of the most important influences on a young child's growth and development is

The traumatic experiences that bring children into his/her relationship with a caring and nurturing

our care (e.g., physical and sexual abuse or severe adult beginning at birth. This relationship is

neglect) affect the basic foundation of the devel- oping brain. Such experiences make it more diffi- cult for a child to develop the cognitive, emotional and sensorimotor skills they will need to meet life's

the basis for an infant's ability to form a secure attachment, which sets the stage for their cognitive, social, and emotional development.

challenges. Research suggests that the more harm-

ful experiences a child is exposed to, the more likely the child is to have difficulty with social and emotional

functioning, exhibit cognitive problems and fall behind in school.1

This early stage in life is also unique because the well-being of a young child is particularly shaped by the rela- tionship the child has with his or her primary caregiver. The quality of interactions between the caregiver and child shapes the child's developing brain and creates the context through which learning occurs.

Trauma in early childhood--particularly trauma that impacts the relationship between caregiver and child--can have a cascading effect on a child's well-being. Not only can the brain be shaped by experiences of neglect and/or abuse at the hands of the caregiver, but these experiences also leave the child with the message that adults cannot be trusted.

Research has found that children who have insecure relationships with their primary caregivers are more likely to struggle both academically and in developing healthy relationships with others. Children who develop inse- cure attachments to their caregivers are also at increased risk for mental health problems like depression and

1 Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University. InBrief- The Impact Of Early Adversity On Children's Development.

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The Department of Children and Families

Early Childhood Practice Guide for Children Aged Zero to Five

anxiety.2 A growing body of research has shown that adverse environments and experiences place young chil- dren at risk for limited language and cognitive skills, difficulties interacting effectively with their peers, insecure attachments, developmental delays, behavioral and mental health problems, and an array of health problems and conditions (e.g., lung disease, cancer, depression, or alcoholism) later in life.

Working with very young children can be especially challenging since they often have not yet developed the skills to tell you what has happened to them, what they are feeling, or what they need. An important part of your role as a CPS worker is to learn to interpret children's expressions, body language, behavior, and emotions so that you can make sure they get the help and support they need to thrive.

2 Jakobsen, I.S., Horwood, L.J., & Fergusson, D.M. (2012). Childhood Anxiety/Withdrawal, Adolescent Parent-Child Attachment and Later Risk of Depression and Anxiety Disorder. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21(2).

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